Other remembrances of Sam McKee

from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Here is just a small sampling of social media posts, reaction and remembrances in honor of Sam McKee, who passed away Wednesday at age 54 from complications of a stroke he suffered last month.

Lindsey McKee, one of Sam’s three daughters: On Monday I was literally on the edge of the earth standing on a cliff looking out into the ocean on the Pacific Coast Highway. It was beautiful, calming and gave me hope. I came home feeling refreshed and now I know that experience was to prepare me for the weekend ahead.

Dad, I will miss you for the rest of my life. I will carry your spirit and humor with me wherever I go. I hope to feel your presence all around me when I look up at the stars at night, when I walk out to the barn in the mornings, every trip I make down the alleyway and when I travel to new and beautiful places. I wish there was more we could have done for you. Nothing about this will ever make sense.

Sam McKee is a legend in the harness racing industry and was great at what he did, but you’d have to multiply that greatness to understand just how incredible he was as a father.

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Gordon Waterstone, The Horseman and Fair World magazine: I’ve been trying to gather my thoughts since learning early (yesterday) morning the devastating news that Sam McKee had died. Even while putting together an obituary I hoped Sam would approve, I still had trouble comprehending the sad news that still now doesn’t seem real.

Two weeks before his stroke last month he called me and asked if I had my Hall of Fame speech written yet for the Las Vegas dinner, wondering what I was going to say. I told him I was going to be sure and mention him, and I held true to my promise and spoke about the good old days 30-some years ago in Detroit.

I can’t imagine now going to the Meadowlands this summer and not stopping by the announcer’s booth to say hello, or going to dinner with he and Chris during Grand Circuit time in Lexington. A better friend I could not have asked for; a better person Sam could not have been. When I grow up, I want to be Sam.

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Heather Vitale, harness racing TV personality and ambassador: That smile. That energy. No one had that special “thing” Sam McKee had. No one. And, he gave, gave, gave his knowledge and respect and assistance so generously to everyone. If you knew Sam, consider yourself blessed. XO Deepest condolences to his loved ones.

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Standardbred Ireland: Absolutely awful news from Stateside today with the passing of The Meadowlands’ Sam McKee. Sam is truly one of the global faces of Harness Racing. His knowledge, talent, enthusiasm, class and professionalism will be missed by race fans the world over. Our heartfelt condolences to Sam’s family and friends.

Ar Dhéis Dé go raibh a anam dilís…

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Jim Beviglia, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono announcer: When I first had the chance to call the Breeders Crown, Sam McKee was chosen to share the calling duties with me. I had never met him and didn’t know what to expect; I worried he might try to big-time me as he was the more experienced professional. Then, the night before the Crown, my voice went.

I thought for sure Sam would plead with management to take over the calling duties all by himself, which would have been justified. Instead, when we met and he saw my predicament, he began to encourage me, telling me I could get through it. And so, with Sam cheering me on, I took some Luden’s and did my best.

Toward the end of the night, I had one more big race to call, but my voice was in tatters. I asked Sam if he would take the race for me. He insisted I fight through it, pumping me up, because he knew what kind of opportunity it was. I got through it and got to call an unforgettable performance, which never would have happened without Sam.

At a time like this, I don’t really have the words to express how much that meant to me or how deeply sorry I am to Sam’s family and friends for their loss. So let me quote from somebody more eloquent than myself:

“There’s some people that
You don’t forget
Even though you’ve only seen ’em one time or two
In the end
My sweet friend
I’ll remember you”

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Alagna Racing: Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Sam McKee. Sam will be greatly missed, his amazing talent and kindness will forever be etched in our hearts.

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Breeders Crown: There are so few in the world like Sam McKee and certainly none to spare. Simply an enormous, incomprehensible loss.

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Dave Brower, harness racing commentator: When we did the Meadowlands Pace on CBS Sports Network in 2014, it was the first show that Sam produced on the national scale, and he was under an enormous amount of pressure. Lots of things could have gone wrong, maybe should have gone wrong. He told me how much he learned from the experience of dealing with it, under tremendous budget pressure. Needless to say, he came in under budget.

But, what I will remember most is after the race and the show, which went off without a hitch and turned into a GREAT show, I worked my way up to the press box. As I walked in, he was coming out of the booth, saw me and just screamed: “YOU!!! That was awesome!! Tremendous job.” And he rushed over and gave me the biggest hug ever! I will never forget that … because we came through for him!

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Travis Stone, track announcer: Sam McKee called a race in front of @larrycollmus and I with no program. Never looked away. Smooth as silk. Great announcer, better person.

Larry Collmus, track announcer: The world lost an amazing person today. He was always the nicest guy in the room and an incredibly talented race caller. RIP Sam McKee.

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Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager: Sam and I were both hired in the winter of 1983 at Raceway Park, he as the announcer and myself in the publicity department, and we worked together for five years there. Back in those days the Canadian Broadcasting Company television station in Windsor, Ontario would broadcast the Windsor Raceway Sunday night card on a taped delayed basis around 11:30 p.m.

One Sunday after our live card finished, Sam and I stayed in the main office on the second floor of the grandstand to watch the broadcast of the races. At the end of the show Sam left the office to head home and I stayed to close up shop and then let Middie, the track’s Doberman and guard dog, into the grandstand where she kept watch overnight.

Well, unknown to me, Sam stopped in the restroom on first floor of the grandstand on his way out of the track. When I came downstairs with Middie, Sam came walking out of the restroom and Middie went into attack mode. Sam made a beeline for the front door of the grandstand and just got outside before Midde reached him. He was as white as a ghost, but unharmed.

As the years went by, whenever Sam and I would see each other, at Delaware, Red Mile or elsewhere, we would reminisce about our days at Raceway and that story would always come up and we would share a laugh.

I will truly miss him!

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Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications: A while back, I was working in the Meadowlands press box when Sam McKee entered with a group of visitors. He introduced his guests to me, gave them a brief description of my work, and concluded by telling them, “We call him the Silver Fox.” He then flashed that trademark smile and continued with his group on their way.

I don’t know who was more amused by the impromptu bestowing of the nickname, him or me, but I always laugh to myself whenever thinking about that day. Thank you Sam. We all will miss you and your wit and kindness and friendship. My thoughts and prayers go out to the McKee family.